Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 978144494658 £12.99
Fox and Wolf are good friends and life seems special when they are together. Wolf asks Fox to promise she will remember the perfect day they have just shared, mysteriously also telling Fox that tomorrow he will be ‘starlight.’ What does he mean? The next day Fox cannot find Wolf anywhere. Staring into the night sky she wonders if the brightest star is in fact her friend. She even pulls the shining blanket of stars out of the night sky in her search for Wolf. After a time, Fox realises that although Wolf won’t be coming back it is wonderful to be alive, she should enjoy her life and she will always have the memories of the times they shared.
This is an allegorical story about bereavement, coping with grief, friendship and enjoying life to the full. Lyrically written and beautifully illustrated, the centre spread of Fox gazing towards the night sky and the representation of the starry blanket are particularly stunning. Sharing this story with children in years two or three may lead to some interesting discussions about the special things they like doing or memories shared with loved ones who have died. The text and illustration might inspire collections of memorable or descriptive words and phrases or artwork of night sky ‘blankets.’
Sue McGonigle